Vote for Norwich foodbank to bag share of 5p bag fund

Norwich foodbank is asking supporters to vote for its FISH project, which supports low-income families during the summer holidays, to bag a massive cash boost from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative.

Tesco has teamed up with Groundwork to launch its community funding scheme, which sees grants of £4,000, £2,000 and £1,000 – all raised from the 5p bag levy – being awarded to local community projects. And Norwich foodbank’s FISH project is one of the groups on the shortlist in July and August.

Three groups in every Tesco region are shortlisted to receive the cash award and shoppers are being invited to head along to Tesco stores to vote for who they think should take away the top grant.

FISH – Food (and Fun) In School Holidays is a project set up by Norwich foodbank to provide free hot meals and free activities to children from low income families during the holidays.

Hannah Worsley, Project Manager of Norwich foodbank, said: “Many parents and children don’t look forward to the school holidays at all – some dread them as they know there isn’t enough money for the extra food needed by the family, let alone entertaining the children.”

August is often the busiest month of the year for the Norwich foodbank with a significant increase in families being referred to them. Parents in crisis often struggle along without going to a foodbank if they know their child is getting a good school meal but if the crisis happens in a school holiday then they are more likely to seek further help and support.

To date Norwich foodbank have supported 10 separate FISH clubs which between them have run 174 sessions and seen over 300 different children. Over 5,500 meals have been served and we didn’t count puddings or seconds!

Fun activities within the FISH clubs have included the Tesco Farm to Fork Trail, visits from Banham Zoo and Mini Monsters, activities with local libraries, CSI fingerprinting, drumming, dancing and beatboxing workshops! The clubs have been supported with food donations from Tesco stores, Waitrose, Sainsburys, Morrisons, Archers Butchers and Smithfield foods.

Hannah said: “We’ve had mums and dads tell us how grateful they are for the clubs – not just for the meal and activities but also the social aspect for both their children and themselves. One mum said to me: “my kids love FISH – when they know it’s on they run here – they’re so excited”.”

Voting is open in all Tesco stores throughout July and August. Customers will cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out in store each time they shop.

Tesco’s Bags of Help project has already delivered over £30 million to more than 4,600 projects up and down the UK. Tesco customers get the chance to vote for three different groups every time they shop. Every other month, when votes are collected, three groups in each of Tesco’s regions will be awarded funding.

Lindsey Crompton, Head of Community at Tesco, said: “We are absolutely delighted to open the voting for July and August. There are some fantastic projects on the shortlists and we can’t wait to see them come to life in hundreds of communities.”

Groundwork’s National Chief Executive, Graham Duxbury, said: “We’ve been thrilled to see the diversity of projects that have applied for funding, ranging from outdoor classrooms, sports facilities, community gardens, play areas and everything in between.

“We’re looking forward to learning the results of the customer vote and then supporting each group to bring their project to life.”

Funding is available to community groups and charities looking to fund local projects that bring benefits to communities. Anyone can nominate a project and organisations can apply online. To find out more visit www.tesco.com/bagsofhelp